VACANCY – Cycling Ireland Women in Sport Development Officer

Nov 6, 2019

Cycling Ireland Women in Sport Development Officer

Cycling Ireland (CI) is the National Governing Body for Cycling (Road, Track, MTB, Para, BMX) and associated disciplines on the island of Ireland. Cycling is recognised as a priority sport in the National Sports Policy and is one of Ireland’s most popular sporting activities with an estimated 250,000 people participating on a regular basis. In addition, cycling is a popular form of transport with 9.8% of the population using pedal power as a means of transport. Cycling Ireland is one of Ireland’s most successful sports governing bodies, inspiring tens of thousands of people to ride their bikes and enabling Irish athletes to compete and win on the World stage.

Job Title: Cycling Ireland (CI) Women in Sport Development Officer

Responsible to: CI Programmes Coordinator

Contract Duration: 1 Year Contract-subject to review of funding after Year 1 Responsibilities: To facilitate and coordinate the delivery of CI Women in Sport programmes and initiatives seeking to significantly increase new opportunities and sustain participation in the sport of cycling. Hours of work: 20 hours per week

Salary: €18k

Location: Cycling Ireland offices located at the National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Background

Cycling Ireland (CI) has an opportunity for a talented and ambitious individual to work within its Coach Education and Programmes unit. This role is on a fixed 1-year term contract, subject to continued funding, the role will be reviewed and renewed on an annual basis.

Women in Sport
Women in Sport is central to the work of Sport Ireland. Since 2005 the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Programme has funded a wide range of initiatives delivered by NGBs and LSPs to further the agenda of gender equality in sport. Sport Ireland has now renewed its
commitment to women in sport through the development of a Women in Sport Policy. This Policy will serve as a guide for Sport Ireland’s future work and investment in the area.
Sport Ireland has identified four target areas for immediate attention:
• Coaching & Officiating – Broaden the coaching base to include more women from grassroots to high performance. – Increase the number of women officiating. • Active Participation – Significantly reduce the active sport participation gradient between men and women. – Reduce the drop-out from physical activity and sport in young girls. – Engage with women of a minority background. • Leadership & Governance – Progress towards greater gender balance in Board membership of funded bodies. – Provide a pathway for women aspiring to become leaders of funded bodies. • Visibility – Increase the visibility and profile of our female role models in sport. – Use the heroes of today to inspire the next generation of future Olympians and Paralympians.

Women in Sport Development Officer:

The Women in Sport Development Officer will be principally responsible for the organisation and delivery of CI Women in Sport programmes and initiatives in conjunction with other key stakeholders and in line with current investment. This role will require duties to extend to flexible working arrangements. Including weekend and possible evening time commitments.

Responsibilities will include:

Specific Duties • Supporting the creation, implementation and review of CI Women in Sport delivery plan. • Responsible for the delivery of CI Women in Sport programmes, in line with Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy. • Engage with key stakeholders, local authorities and partners to promote and stimulate the interest and activation of cycling programmes. • Support Digital/Social media for Women in Sport programmes targeting new and existing audiences. • Create ‘Game Changer’ programmes and interventions, events and taster sessions. • Develop and support pathway links with schools, clubs and other interest groups. • Explore and assist with the formation of new clubs, virtual clubs and innovative delivery environments in line with participant need as an outcome of programme activity. • Support clubs and groups to build capacity and capability to increase participation. • Provide access to training and practical support for volunteers, to enable them to run CI Women in Sport programmes and activities. • Build sustainability through volunteer recruitment, development and training.
• Assess the scale and impact of CI Women in Sport programmes on a range of outcomes such as, new riders, digital engagement with new audiences and additional members to clubs, etc. • Write interim reports and provide monitoring data as required by project manager and key stakeholders. • Ability to prepare, monitor and manage budgets. • Manage own workload and report on outputs. • Manage project under the Programmes Coordinator’s guidance.

General
▪ Act as an ambassador for CI and represent the organisation on appropriate occasions. ▪ Develop relationships with stakeholders, local partners and other interest groups. ▪ Assist in managing all budgetary aspects of the role. ▪ Produce reports, deal with correspondence and attend relevant meetings.

Candidates should note that this list does not represent an exhaustive list and is subject to change as the job requires.
Person specification:
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
Qualification and Attainments
Computer literate and competent in the use of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.
Relevant third level qualification to degree level or equivalent in sports and recreation, health promotion or other relevant disciplines.
Relevant Experience
Relevant experience of at least 2 years in health, physical activity, recreational and/or sports development.

Experience of working with volunteers.

An understanding of legislation relevant to sports organisations to include child protection, health and safety, data protection, equity etc.
Experience and knowledge of sports development, community development work or of working in the community sector in a developmental and supportive capacity either in paid or voluntary role.

Competence in budgeting and financial management.

Experience of coordinating and managing projects.
Digital native with good understanding of all social media platforms.
Special Aptitudes
Excellent literary and communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise reports.

Proven record of working to a deadline.

Excellent organisational skills.
Competent in use of Microsoft XP or above; and in particular Word, Excel, and Power Point, email and website.

Experience of working under pressure and to strict deadlines.

General Aptitudes
Must be able to act on personal initiative and take decisions within scope of the project.

Disposition
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise with a range of personnel.

Ability to be self-motivated, resourceful, work on own initiative in a flexible and cooperative manner.

An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and sports equity issues.

Good communication skills.

Influencing skills and ability to work with others.

Circumstances
Ability to work out of normal office hours.

Be prepared to undertake training in any relevant jobrelated area.
Full clean driving licence with own transport

Remuneration and Location
The package will include a salary of €18k, commensurate with qualifications and experience, reflective of the not for profit/sports sector.
The primary place of work will be at Cycling Ireland Head Office located at The Clockhouse, Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

General information:
Application closing date: 5pm on Friday 22nd November 2019. Interested persons are invited to submit their CV (by email) along with a covering letter outlining why they believe they are suitable for the post to margo.finnegan@cyclingireland.ie by email only.

Short listing will apply as do Garda/Access NI vetting, Reference Checking procedures. The on-going funding for this post is subject to negotiation and to confirmation of funding from Cycling Ireland’s funding partners.